5 Simple Ways to Empower Yourself as a Woman

This one honestly takes some getting used to since society has regularized referring to grown women as girls. Many of us, myself included, do this from time to time as it’s been socialized into our daily language. Whether it’s “Girls’ Night Out”, studying with “the girls”, or pointing to “that girl over there”, we tend not to analyze our words beyond the surface. But the more I began surrounding myself with fellow feminists in the Laurier Brantford scene, the more it became clear how important words are, especially those you direct towards yourself. If you identify as such, defining yourself as a woman reminds those around you of your autonomy, maturity and capability, aspects too quickly taken from us at the hands of patriarchy. Though I don’t expect anyone to suddenly strike up a strict dialect when addressing friends, this tip may be especially useful in spaces like work or school.

Image with green background featuring two femmes, one wearing a sports bra and shorts, the other a hijab and dress. Text reads, “You can wear whatever you want”.

And I mean it. If you want to show up to lecture in your favourite striped pajamas, please do. If you want to dress to the nines and do a full makeup routine, rock it! Fashion can be used as a statement. Whether you want the world to see you as bold, academic, sexy or straight-up tired (re: those comfy PJs), that second skin only needs to adhere to how you feel about yourself, not any standards society may have based on your shape, size, colour or gender!

This goes out to my fellow quiet ones. I, too, can be sheepish and shy on the reg, but in general it’s important for women to take up space, literally and figuratively. Say yes when you want something and say no when you don’t. Belt out all the lyrics to that embarrassing pop song you shouldn’t know (just maybe not in the Student Centre). Clap back at the dude in your class who has one too many opinions about women’s rights. Have your say and say it again!

One of the most problematic notions surrounding womanhood in our society is the belief that a woman’s happiness derives solely from her ability to serve others. The simple practice of getting meditative downtime for yourself is a big slap in patriarchy’s face, which would expect you to be running around frazzled 24/7 in order to be worth anything. Whether it looks like a walk at Mohawk Park, a yoga class at the Y, or staying in alone, take opportunities to slow down, reflect and appreciate. (Check out Rest for Resistance on Instagram for some amazing quotes and notes on the importance of rest and compassion!)

This is beyond important; let’s call it meta-important: stand up for other women and gender minorities. If you know the pain of being shamed or shut down because of your gender, chances are the women, trans and gender-nonconforming folks around you do, too. If we truly want a world in which we can feel safe and express ourselves freely, empathy is the key to achieving it. Empower each other by making your spaces accessible, shutting down racism when you see it, or simply complimenting someone else and boosting their confidence. It’s all about building up, not tearing down!